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GI Stasis with surprise bladder stones - need words of encouragement :(

4boipigs

4boipigs

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A couple days ago, my boar Chico was sitting around more and I started to feel like something wasn't quite right. Yesterday he had small poops and a decreased appetite, and continued to sit around (idk if it is a 'hunched' position, but he was sitting like a cat does when it 'loafs'). With it being Easter and a Friday, I managed to get into a vet but not our normal one. The doctor noted decreased gut sounds, but the xrays didn't show excessive gas. We did find 2 bladder stones, but the vet says we can worry about those once the stasis is taken care of. We're not sure if this could be related. We also found a bit of arthritis in his back legs, some slightly overgrown molars on one side (something I was suspecting for a while now, but the doctor doesn't think is associated w/ this), and a bit of bumblefoot I already knew was there.

Chico was given metacam, simethicone, metoclopramine, and an ointment for his foot. I already had Critical Care. I have read on here that simethicone isn't great for pigs, and with him not having very much gas on his xrays, I have only given one dose.

Chico will eat here and there. I see him eat some hay. He happily ate Critical Care before the vet visit from a plate. He will eat veggies, but he won't eat his vitamin c cookies. I've been syringe feeding him Critical Care every few hours.

This morning, his poop was the scary, stringy sort that means he is in trouble! I'm so concerned for him, but he's acting friendly, drinking, still nibbling hay, and otherwise seems fairly normal. I know once we see the poops stringed together, this is a vital time for him. I saw a couple like that yesterday, but this morning when I woke up there was several poops together. With it being Easter, my only option if something would be an ER. There are some around here that see exotics, but I'm worried about how knowledgeable they are.

For reference, he lives in a 2x5 c&c with his 'brother', both adopted from an animal shelter in 2020.

I just lost another pig to bloat/torsion last month overnight. There was nothing I could do for him. I want to do everything for Chico and I can't let him die. What else could I do or am I doing everything fine?
 
I'm so sorry that Chico is poorly :( Poo output is running 1-2 days behind so if he wasn't eating 1-2 days ago, that's why his poos are small and stringy now.

I'm afraid I don't have any advise as I have no experience with bloat or bladder stones but I'd have him seen again if he seems no better x
 
4boipigs said:
A couple days ago, my boar Chico was sitting around more and I started to feel like something wasn't quite right. Yesterday he had small poops and a decreased appetite, and continued to sit around (idk if it is a 'hunched' position, but he was sitting like a cat does when it 'loafs'). With it being Easter and a Friday, I managed to get into a vet but not our normal one. The doctor noted decreased gut sounds, but the xrays didn't show excessive gas. We did find 2 bladder stones, but the vet says we can worry about those once the stasis is taken care of. We're not sure if this could be related. We also found a bit of arthritis in his back legs, some slightly overgrown molars on one side (something I was suspecting for a while now, but the doctor doesn't think is associated w/ this), and a bit of bumblefoot I already knew was there.

Chico was given metacam, simethicone, metoclopramine, and an ointment for his foot. I already had Critical Care. I have read on here that simethicone isn't great for pigs, and with him not having very much gas on his xrays, I have only given one dose.

Chico will eat here and there. I see him eat some hay. He happily ate Critical Care before the vet visit from a plate. He will eat veggies, but he won't eat his vitamin c cookies. I've been syringe feeding him Critical Care every few hours.

This morning, his poop was the scary, stringy sort that means he is in trouble! I'm so concerned for him, but he's acting friendly, drinking, still nibbling hay, and otherwise seems fairly normal. I know once we see the poops stringed together, this is a vital time for him. I saw a couple like that yesterday, but this morning when I woke up there was several poops together. With it being Easter, my only option if something would be an ER. There are some around here that see exotics, but I'm worried about how knowledgeable they are.

For reference, he lives in a 2x5 c&c with his 'brother', both adopted from an animal shelter in 2020.

I just lost another pig to bloat/torsion last month overnight. There was nothing I could do for him. I want to do everything for Chico and I can't let him die. What else could I do or am I doing everything fine?
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Hi
Here is our practical information on GI stasis care: Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

GI stasis means that the digestive system is either partially or wholly stopping to work. Imagine it as a huge internal conveyor belt that stops and then only slowly gets back to work. Your piggy is not able to eat when the digestive process has stopped. It can take 1-4 days for this gap and the slow restart to appear at the other end.
In a full GI stasis event there is always a gap, which is followed by a period of very funny poos refectling the upset and only gradual recovery. Your syringe feeding care is crucial during both the crisis and the recovery to get the gut going and to help rebalance the disturbed gut microbiome.

Because the poo output is always running behind events, it is much better for an instant update to montor any illness via weighing on the kitchen scales; please take the time to read these guides - you will find them very helpful and will be able to understand much better what is going on and how to modify your support accordingly; it will help to empower you in managing any illness by being able to adapt the level of care instantly rather than a day too late. The poos can only ever tell you what has happened before but never what is happening NOW.
Weight - Monitoring and Management (everything you want to know about weighing and weight)
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures (this is our new updated and improved syringe feeding and medicating guide)

All the best!
 
Chico has been doing well throughout the day! I'm a bit surprised, to be honest. At noon he started to eat hay on his own. I bought a couple of different kinds I don't feed often. His poops are also looking closer to normal, mixed with some of the stringy ones. I'll still be feeding him Critical Care til he seems 100% better.
 
4boipigs said:
Chico has been doing well throughout the day! I'm a bit surprised, to be honest. At noon he started to eat hay on his own. I bought a couple of different kinds I don't feed often. His poops are also looking closer to normal, mixed with some of the stringy ones. I'll still be feeding him Critical Care til he seems 100% better.
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Hi

That is great news.

You have to keep up with the feeding support until he is fully back to normal and eating for himself but you can now move into the transition phase and adapt your feeding frequency according to his daily need.
Please read up on how to best manage this pase in our new syringe feeding guide with our practical advice: All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
 
He ended up getting worse today. I haven't seen him eat anything on his own aside from a small piece of carrot. I've been syringe feeding him every 2 hours. He was also drinking on his own, and now he's not, so I've started giving water during feedings.

He mostly just stands around looking uncomfortable. Yesterday was slept out in the open like normal in a hay nest. Today he sleeps standing up.

I'm very nervous about all of this :(
 
4boipigs said:
He ended up getting worse today. I haven't seen him eat anything on his own aside from a small piece of carrot. I've been syringe feeding him every 2 hours. He was also drinking on his own, and now he's not, so I've started giving water during feedings.

He mostly just stands around looking uncomfortable. Yesterday was slept out in the open like normal in a hay nest. Today he sleeps standing up.

I'm very nervous about all of this :(
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HUGS

Have you been given a painkiller?

All you can do is hanging in there and continuing to syringe feed as much as possible as I don't think any vets in the USA are open on an Easter Monday? :(
 
I’m so sorry. You are clearly doing all you can by syringe feeding him & giving him his medication. Is he still passing pee and poop?
If he doesn’t pick up I would call the emergency vets for advice about possible treatments ; including potentially more pain relief.
 
Wiebke said:
HUGS

Have you been given a painkiller?

All you can do is hanging in there and continuing to syringe feed as much as possible as I don't think any vets in the USA are open on an Easter Monday? :(
Click to expand...

Yes, he is on metacam 1.5mg/ml once a day. I think everything goes 'back to normal' on Monday and our regular vet is open then.
 
4boipigs said:
Yes, he is on metacam 1.5mg/ml once a day. I think everything goes 'back to normal' on Monday and our regular vet is open then.
Click to expand...

Please give the metacam every 12 hours; guinea pigs have a fast metabolism. In my own experience, the metacam starts wearing off after about 10 hours. Most piggy savvy vets recommend to give it twice daily for that reason.

Monday is still a holiday here in the UK but we have mandatory out of hours vet cover (very expensive but potentially life saving).

All the best!
 
Chico was not doing any better today, so we went to our normal vet. They said his molars on both sides are overgrown, so he's there now getting a trim. They were surprised the other vet we went to didn't offer to trim his teeth. Does this site have a help page about teeth trims and aftercare?
 
4boipigs said:
Chico was not doing any better today, so we went to our normal vet. They said his molars on both sides are overgrown, so he's there now getting a trim. They were surprised the other vet we went to didn't offer to trim his teeth. Does this site have a help page about teeth trims and aftercare?
Click to expand...

Hi

We have a very comprehensive feeding guide, which also applies to guinea pigs. Please be aware that unless your vet is very experienced with cavy dentals, your piggy will very likely struggle to eat after a dental procedure as the mouth will be very sore and your vet is likely to have to use a GA.

Here is our very comprehensive step-by-step support feeding guide.
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Tips For Post-operative Care

Please make sure that about 80% of what you feed is hay fibre; it is the silica in the grass/hay that grind down the crucial back teeth; the growth rate in guinea pig molars has evolved on that food, as has the gut microbiome - not ve or fruit, as sadly far too many owners assume.
Lack of hay fibre when piggies stop chewing hard hay because of pain can cause secondary digestive issues like bloating or diarrhea as well as weight loss.

Ask for a painkiller and how soon you can give it after the op since the mouth will be rather sore if your vet is open for that.

All the best!
 
Chico wasn't doing well so we went to the ER. I hospitalized him and agreed to all diagnostics but Unfortunately he passed away a few hours into his stay. The ER vet said he was critical with a poor to guarded prognosis.
 
I’m so sorry for your loss. It really is scary when your piggy isn’t well. Popcorn toward the rainbow bridge Chico! 🌈🌈
 
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